Last week, I stopped by the big Barack Obama rally here in New York City. Looking around at the crowd, you could tell it was a young group (no doubt due the fact that the rally took place essentially in the middle of NYU). Eventually, he reached the point in his stump speech where candidates generally list off the issues they think the crowd wants to hear about, and the crowd responds with cheers. He mentioned ending the occupation of Iraq. The crowd cheered. He mentioned guaranteeing health care for all Americans (however he plans to do that). The crowd cheered a little louder. He mentioned many issues, but it was only when he said "and we will make a college education affordable for everyone!" that the crowd truly erupted in cheers.

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on H.R. 5, the College Student Relief Act of 2007, which cuts the interest rates on student loans and passed on the House floor by a vote of 356 to 71, with all Democrats and 124 Republicans voting for the bill:

"Today's bipartisan vote to cut the interest rate in half on federally subsidized student loans over the next five years will help make a college education more affordable and more accessible for our next generation of leaders and innovators.  At a time when college tuition continues to skyrocket, this crucial legislation will help remove some of the barriers to a higher education.

"A college education is the best investment our nation's young people can make in themselves, and the best investment our nation can make in its future.  Democrats will continue to work to ensure that every young person that is determined to earn a higher education is able to do so.  Our young people should be driven by their dreams, not weighed down by debt."